Blog
Blue Badge scheme extended to include hidden disabilities
People living with disabilities such as a mental health condition and autism, will be eligible next year for a Blue Badge parking permit. From 2019, people with ‘hidden disabilities’, less obvious illness and disabilities, will have the right to a parking permit,...
Get active! The importance of sport for wheelchair users
With 1.2 million wheelchair users in the UK, there's increasing demand for improved opportunities for disabled-friendly sport. Getting active offers important health benefits for wheelchair users and can significantly improve their everyday life. Regular physical...
Courageous Climber Recognised for Mountain Wheelchair Ascent
Not even a mountain the size of The Empire State Building stops some wheelchair users from reaching their goals. Hong Kong-based climbing pro Lai Chi-wai has hit the headlines over a year after conquering the summit of Lion Rock, a mountain that overlooks his home...
Campaigners Push for Disabled Access Rating System
A petition to create a system which rates business premises on their accessibility, has attracted thousands of signatures. Campaigners representing the Bridgend Coalition of Disabled People, reignited the accessibility debate, arguing that the government should do...
Kyle’s story…
Thanks to the Gowrings team, Kyle can now travel to infinity and beyond! Kyle is 9 years old and battles with a rare condition called Trisomy13. He requires 24 hour care which his family provide along with the constant support of Woody, Buzz Lightyear and every...
More people with disabilities now in postgrad study – but is enough done to support them?
The number of people entering postgraduate study with disabilities has doubled in the last decade, according to the Higher Education and Funding Council for England (HEFCE). But while positive news, in reality, do people with disabilities in postgrad study receive the...
Inspirational wheelchair racer Hannah Cockroft wins Disabled Sportswomen Award
World champion and Paralympian Hannah Cockroft, has just scooped the title of Great Britain’s 2017 Disability Sportswoman of the Year. The award is one of seven awards presented at the glittering annual Sunday Times Sportswomen of the Year awards. Now in their 30th...
Considering a Winter City Break? – Top 5 Wheelchair Accessible Cities
UK’s top 5 wheelchair accessible cities When you have a disability, visiting a new place can feel like an epic planning project. In fact, being able to go anywhere can all come down to the very smallest detail that many other people take for granted. But while the UK...
Accommodating Disabled Air Travellers – How the Airports Rate
Regulator finds Heathrow poor for disabled travellers Just as many holidaymakers look forward to flying out for their summer break, Heathrow Airport has received a 'poor' rating for accommodating disabled travellers. A report by the industry's regulator found that...
Disabled Shoppers Feel Forced to Shop Online Rather than Battle the High Street
People with disabilities say that poor access in UK town centres forces them to do their shopping online. They also experience difficulties using the most basic facilities such as toilets and changing rooms, according a new report. Many said that they struggle to...
Wheelchair user wins landmark bus victory
Bus drivers must do more to ensure wheelchair users have priority over prams and pushchairs, following a landmark court ruling. Back in 2012, Doug Pulley, a wheelchair user from Yorkshire, began legal action against bus company FirstGroup. He could not board a bus...
Safe Christmas driving
Whether you are planning to visit friends and family at the other end of the country, or just around the corner, you need to take extra care on the roads this festive period. Even if you have a new car or wheelchair accessible vehicle, things can go wrong. It is an...
Plans to shrink the UK disability employment gap
The Government has announced plans to close the disability employment gap in the UK in a new green paper. The aim is to get 1 million disabled people in work and halve the gap between disabled and non-disabled people. Less than five out of 10 disabled people have...
Disability groups welcome end to benefit tests for long term sick
The Work and Pensions Secretary Damian Green has delighted disability charities with the announcement that the Government is ending medical assessments for people on long term sick. Mr Green said there was no point in retesting people claiming Employment and Support...
SME Owners on Supporting Disabled Staff
Small business owners recognise benefits of investing in disabled staff An increasing number of SME owners are recognising the benefits of working with people with disabilities. Whilst some employers may think that employing disabled people would be too expensive and...
Gowrings Mobility Ambassador Karen Darke wins Gold at Rio Paralympics
If you are looking for inspiration from this year’s Rio Paralympics, then you don’t have to look much further than hand cyclist, Karen Darke. Already a silver medallist at the 2012 London Paralympics and a Para-triathlon World Champion, Karen can now add gold to her...
Gowrings Mobility Going from Strength to Strength
We would just like to assure all customers and suppliers that although we share a similar name, Gowrings Mobility are a completely unrelated company to Gowrings Ford of Newbury. In an announcement this week the Motoring Group, whose franchises include Gowrings Ford...
Paralympic Inspiration
Inspiration after London While the organisers behind Britain’s team at next month’s Paralympic Games are hoping that the sporting performances will inspire a better world for disabled people, research shows people were more motivated to get active after the London...
Enjoy an Accessible Holiday This Summer
Enjoy an Accessible Holiday This Summer For most of us, going on holiday is something we take for granted. But for some people with disabilities, going on holiday can be a huge challenge that takes an enormous amount of preparation and planning. But with some research...
What will Brexit mean for disabled people?
As the UK starts to plan its exit from the European Union, what will leaving the EU mean for Britain’s 10 million disabled people? The EU has been at the forefront of supporting anti-discrimination legislation, and this has included taking some countries to court for...
Gowrings Mobility Caddy helps Ryan support his heroes
It’s been an exciting year for 14 year old Reading Football Club fan Ryan Duval. It all started when players Jem Karacan, Simon Cox and Anton Ferdinand visited Ryan’s school - The Avenue School Special Needs Academy in Tilehurst - to see some of the work pupils had...
